Adjustable ladder platform



Patented Oct. 6, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFlcE ADJUSTABLE LADDER PLATFORM John J. Glover, Kansas City, Kans.

Application November 25, 1941, Serial No. 420,421

9 Claims.

This invention relates to an attachment for ladders and pertains in its more specific aspects to an adjustable portable platform that is adapted to be readily mounted on a ladder.

When using a conventional ladder, a worker oftentimes has to stand for prolonged periods of time on a single rung of the ladder. This soon causes extreme foot discomfort as substantially the entire weight of the individual is carried by his arches. There are numerous medical cases on record which show that this condition may eventually result in permanent disgurement or injury to a persons feet. The present invention is intended to and actually does effectively obviate this objectionable possibility in a highly satisfactory manner as it provides a ladder attachment which affords adequate footage. The employment of the device of this invention enables a worker to stand in one position on a ladder for extended periods of time without experiencing discomfort or incurring any risk of injury to the arches of his feet as his weight may be safely and comfortably distributed between the balls and heels of his feet, thereby relieving his arches and leg muscles of undesirable pressures and strains. This invention may also be used as a ladder seat when various operations are being performed at elevated locations.

One of the outstanding features of the instant invention resides in its adjustability whereby the device may be quickly and simply adapted to assume any desired angular position with respect to the plane of the ladder. While a number of ladder platforms have been devised heretofore, none of them possesses the flexibility of adjustment and the degree of safety that are afforded by my invention.

It is therefore the primary object of this invention to provide a device of the character indicated whereby a person may stand on a ladder with safety and comfort.

Another object of this invention is to provide adequate ladder footage in order that mechanics and other persons who have occasion to stand on ladders for considerable lengths of time may do so without undue foot or leg strain.

This invention has for another object the provision of a portable ladder step platform that is adapted to be readily mounted on and subsequently removed from any rung of a ladder.

A further object of this invention is to provide a ladder attachment having a platform that may be quickly and easily adjusted at a desired angular position with respect to the plane of the ladder.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a readily portable device of the type indicated which is simple in design, rugged in construction, and relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

These as well as other objects and advantages will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon careful consideration of the following description and annexed drawing which respectively describe and illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention, and wherein Figure 1 is a perspective View of the device of this invention mounted on a ladder;

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary side view of a recommended form of spring pressed coupling means which may be advantageously employed with my apparatus; and

Figure 3 is an enlarged perspective View of the bracket depicted in Figures 1 and 2.

Referring to the drawing and more particularly to Figure 1 thereof, I have denoted therein a portion of a ladder consisting of a pair of side bars I0 and a plurality of rungs II. A pair of substantially parallel spaced curved support members I2 are constructed of angle iron in order to obtain requisite rigidity and strength. Each support member I2 consists of an upwardly extending flange I3 and a sidewardly extending flange I4. It will be observed from an inspection of the drawing that the sidewardly extending flange I4 of one support projects toward the corresponding flange of the other support and that one end of each sidewardly extending ange is formed into a hook I5 which is adapted to engage a rung of the ladder. A platform I6, having a hand slot I'I, is fixedly disposed between the upwardly extending flanges and upon the sidewardly extending flanges. Platform I6 may be composed of or covered with an electrical insulating material. This is recommended especially when my device may be used in the immediate neighborhood of electrical equipment, such as high tension lines.

Intermediate the ends of each support member I2 is a series of stops or pins I8 that are attached to the lower surface of each sidewardly extending flange by welding or in any other well known manner. These stops are preferably spaced equidistantly to receive a cross bar I9 that may be tubular, as shown, or any other suitable configuration. It will be evident that various types of stops other than vthe pins I8 may be utilized for the purposes of my invention with equally satisfactory results. Fixedly connected to cross bar I9 and substantially at right angles thereto is a pair of guide arms 20 that are threaded at their free ends to receive wing nuts 2I. A bracket 22, having a base 23 and a hook 24, is provided with an opening 25 that is slidably engageable with a corresponding guide arm. A compression spring 26 embraces each guide arm and presses against wing nut 2| and base 23, tending to urge brackets 22 downwardly and maintain hooks 24 in engagement with upwardly extending flanges I3, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 3. Besides clamping cross bar I9 to support members I2, the releasable spring pressed coupling means just described prevent any inward or outward relative lateral inovementof the support members and thereby maintains the support members properly spaced apart at all times.

In the practice of my invention, the complete device may be readily transported by grasping the same through hand slot I'I and carrying it to the place of use. After the ladder is set in position at a desired angle of inclination with the horizontal, the worker proceeds to climb the ladder until he reaches the rung on which he wishes to mount the attachment. He then inserts the free ends of support members I2 in the space between side bars I and beneath the ladder rung, raises the device until the open portion of hooks I5 is above the rung, and nally moves the device until hooks I5 are brought into gripping engagement with the ladder rung. The device is permitted to pivot about the engaging ladder rung until cross bar I9 rests against the front edge of side bars IIJ. form I6 may assume an approximately horizontal position, the cross bar is next moved into the proper spaces between adjacent pins I8 to accomplish this purpose. It is obvious that, when the desired angular relationship between the platform and the plane of the ladder is attained, cross bar I9 will be maintained in xed position with respect to support members I2 by virtue of the combined action of neighboring pins I8 and the spring pressed bracket arrangement.

Although I have indicated above that my device may be readily adjusted so that platform I6 will assume a desired angular position with respect to the plane of the ladder while the worker is on the ladder, it should be borne in mind this adjustment may be made with probably greater facility before the worker goes up the ladder, if desired.

From the foregoing, it is believed that the construction, method of using, and advantages of my present invention will be readily comprehended by persons skilled in the art. It is to be clearly understood, however, that various changes in the size, shape, and relative position of the parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of this invention, as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A device adapted to be mounted on a ladder having a pair of side bars and a plurality of rungs comprising a pair of substantially parallel curved members, a hook at one end of each member for engagement with a rung of the ladder, a platform connected to the members at the end portions thereof opposite the hooks, and means intermediate the ends of the members for adjustably positioning the same with respect to the side bars of the ladder.

2. A device adapted to be mounted on a ladder having a pair of side bars and a plurality of In order that platrungs comprising a pair of substantially parallel curved members, a hook at one end of each member for engagement with a rung of the ladder, a platform connected to the members at the end portions thereof opposite the hooks, and means including a cross member adjustably supported intermediate the ends of the curved members for engaging the side bars of the ladder to maintain the platform in desired angular relation with respect to the ladder.

3. A device adapted to be mounted on a ladder having a pair of side bars and a plurality of rungs comprising a pair of substantially parallel curved members, a hook at one end of each member for engagement with a rung of the ladder, a platform connected to the members at the end portions thereof opposite the hooks, and means intermediate the ends of the members for adjustably positioning the same with respect to the side bars of the ladder, said means including a plurality of spaced stops extending from each curved member and a cross member releasably associated with at least one stop of each curved member.

4. A device adapted to be mounted on a ladder having a pair of side bars and a plurality of rungs comprising a pair of substantially parallel curved members, a hook at one end of each member for engagement with a rung of the ladder, a platform connected to the members at the end portions thereof opposite the hooks, and means intermediate the ends of the members for adjustably positioning the same with respect to the side bars of the ladder, said means including a plurality of spaced stops carried by each curved member, a cross member associated with at least one stop of each curved member, and spring pressed releasable means for effecting engagement between the cross member and the curved members.

5. A device adapted to be mounted on a ladder having a pair of side 'bars and a plurality of rungs comprising a pair of substantially parallel supports, each support including an upwardly extending flange and a sidewardly extending flange, the sidewardly extending flange of one support projecting toward the corresponding flange of the other support, a hook at one end of each support for engagement with a rung of the ladder, a platform disposed between the upwardly extending flanges and resting on the sidewardly extending flanges, and means intermediate the ends of the supports for adjustably positioningthe same with respect to the side bars of the ladder.

6. A device adapted to be mounted on a ladder having a pair of side bars and a plurality of rungs comprising a pair of substantially parallel supports, each support including an upwardly extending ange and a sidewardly extending flange, the sidewardly extending ange of one support projecting toward the corresponding ange of the other support, a hook at one end of each support for engagement with a rung of the ladder, a platform disposed between the upwardly extending anges and resting on the sidewardly extending flanges, and means including a cross member adjustably attached to the `supports for engaging the side bars of the ladder to maintain the platform in desired angular relation with respect to the ladder.

7. A device adapted to be mounted on a ladder having a pair of side bars and -a plurality of rungs comprising a, pair of substantially parallel supports, each support including an upwardly extending flange and a sidewardly extending flange, the sidewardly extending flange of one support projecting toward the corresponding flange of the other support, a hook at one end of each support for engagement with a rung of the ladder, a platform disposed between the upwardly extending flanges and resting on the sidewardly extending flanges, and means intermediate the ends of the supports for adjustably positioning the same with respect to the side bars of the ladder, said means including a plurality of spaced stops carried by each sideW-ardly extending flange and a cross member releasably associated with at least one stop of each support.

8. A device adapted to be mounted on a ladder having a pair of side bars and a plurality oi rungs comprising a pair of substantially parallel supports, each support including an upwardly extending flange and a sidewardly extending flange, the sidewardly extending flange of one support projecting toward the corresponding flange of the other support, a hook at one end of each support for engagement with a rung of the ladder, a, platform disposed between the upwardly extending anges and resting on the sidewardly extending flanges, and means intermediate the ends of the supports for adjustably positioning the same with respect to the side bars of the ladder, said means including a plurality of spaced stops projecting from each sidewardly extending flange, a cross member associated with at least one stop of each support, and spring pressed releasable means for effecting engagement between the cross member and the supports.

9. A device adapted to be mounted on a ladder having a pair of side bars and a plurality of rungs comprising a pair of substantially parallel curved supports, each support including an upwardly extending flange and sidewardly extending flange, the sidewardly extending iiange of one support projecting toward the corresponding flange of the other support, a hook formed at one end of each supp-ort for engagement with a rung of the ladder, a platform disposed between the upwardly extending flanges and resting on the sidewardlyextending flanges, a plurality of spaced stops extending downwardly of each sidewardly extending iiange, a cross member associated with at least one stop of each support, and spring pressed releasable means connected to the cross member and coacting with the upwardly extending flange of each support for coupling the cross member to the supports.

JOHN J. GLOVER. 

